Parking prohibition device

ABSTRACT

A parking prevention means comprises a housing (1) containing a power supply, a controller signal receiver unit, said signals controlling a motor coupled to a shaft (8) bearing a movable part (2) which the motor moves from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position and vice-versa. The movable part comprises one or more legs (3) which are substantially nondeformable and also includes means enabling the shaft to impart its rotational movement to the movable part, whereas rotation of the movable part caused by an external force does not result in associated rotation of the shaft.

The present invention concerns a parking prohibition device.

The reservation of a motor vehicle parking place is a subject which hasalready given rise to very many proposals. These proposals may bedistinguished according to two main criteria.

The first criterion refers to the remote control of the device. Indeedcertain devices assume a manual intervention by the user whilst othersprovide on the contrary a remote control.

The second criterion concerns the signalling effect or the physicalopposition effect.

To a large extent the devices proposed suffice to indicate, as clearlyas possible, that the driver searching for a place is asked to looksomewhere else. If the impatient motorist decides to violate the signal,the constitutive characteristics of the devices concerned aim especiallyat the device surviving the violation.

The other group is of course constituted by devices conceived to bephysically the most inviolable possible.

It being a matter of devices offering a certain physical resistance thequestion to be solved is mainly avoiding a violation involving damage ofthe unbolting mechanism. Indeed, when such is the case the deviceprohibits access to the place to any third party as well as to itsrightful owner.

For devices providing for a remote control and a physical resistance, asecond problem arises: the protection of the indispensable electronicelements as well as of the supply batteries if they are provided.Indeed, electronics and supply are confined in the case of the devicewhich generally diminishes the resistance to crushing, in particular ifthe wheel of a van or of a lorry passes over the device.

Finally, according to the philosophy adopted, with or without remotecontrol the known devices aim either at preventing at all costs anyviolation or protecting, as much as can be, the device, if a violationtakes place. The first risk destruction or damage, the second havepurely psychological dissuasive effect which diminishes in the course oftime and the experience of the offenders.

As illustration of the devices proposed, we cited, for example, Frenchpatent published under No. 2124197 and Belgian patent No. 904603 withregard to purely signalling devices. Swiss patent No. 664587 illustratesa remote control signalling device provided with means for theprotection of the device in case of violation. Finally, Canadian patentNo. 1177299 shows manual action devices having means for absorbingunintentional impacts.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive but simply representative ofthe various types of known proposals.

Generally speaking, one can retain, if they are conceived to survive aviolation, the known systems employed to avoid a loading by theoffending vehicle and that when the vehicle enters the place reserved aswell as when it leaves. Consequently the perpetrators of the violationshave little to fear from their behaviour, the parts of the prohibitiondevices being conceived so as not to damage them. That applies quiteparticularly at the time of departure of the vehicle, a moment when anactual resistance of the prohibition device could lead to a liftingeffect which the known devices do not resist.

The present invention aims at proposing a device permitting of remedyingto a great extent the drawbacks mentioned above.

For this purpose the parking prohibition device comprises a caseenclosing feeding means, a control signals receiving member whichactuates a motor coupled to a shaft bearing a movable part which theaction of the motor causes to pass from a substantially horizontalposition to a substantially vertical position and vice-versa. It ischaracterised in that it comprises means allowing the forced lowering ofthe movable part in the event of violation and ensuring its return tothe vertical position, these means being formed so that the movable partacts like a crutch lifting the offending vehicle at the time of itswithdrawal without damage to the device resulting therefrom.

One example of the device according to the invention is described in thefollowing with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a total view of the device, in perspective;

FIG. 2 shows in detail one of the lateral struts of the device;

FIG. 3 shows a first variation of the joining between the pivoting shaftand the leg of the movable part;

FIG. 4 shows a second variation of the joining between the pivotingshaft and the leg of the movable part;

FIG. 5 shows a variation in which the impact absorption means isdisposed on the shaft inside the case;

FIG. 6 shows two parts of an energizing block comprising a resistance tocrushing structure constituting a magazine for the batteries or cells;and

FIG. 7 shows the interior arrangement of the case.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the device is composed of a case 1 made ofresistant material. Inside the case is placed a control member capableof receiving signals 21. This control member starts a motor 22 the axle23 of which is coupled to a cam 24 which actuates a rod 25 connected toa shaft 8 by means of a second cam 26. The shaft rests in orifices madein the walls of the case and goes beyond the latter on both sides. Onthe ends of the shaft 27 which go beyond the case are diposed sleeves 4in the form of caps on which are fixed in their turn the legs 3 whichconstitute the base of the movable part 2 of the device. In its normaluse, that is, without violation, the remote control 21 activates themotor 22 which causes the shaft 8 to turn on itself as far as apreferential position of stable equilibrium determined by the cams 24 ofthe motor axle 23, the movable part 2 of the device then being placed invertical position. A spring 28 holds the rod 25 in this preferentialposition. When the owner of the parking place provided with the devicereturns to park his vehicle there, he operates again the remote controland the motor acting On the shaft bringing the movable part back againinto a horizontal position.

If a violation takes place the offending vehicle transmits to themovable part of the device a force tending to cause it to regain itshorizontal position. By reason of the stable position of equilibriumdescribed, the shaft cannot turn on itself and allow this movement. Thefolding movement certainly takes place but owing to an arrangementpermitting one or several springs lodged in the legs of the movable partto absorb the stroke of the movable part. The movable part thus givesway under the advancement of the vehicle but the top of the movable partrests against the lower part of the vehicle with the whole force of thespring or springs. Consequently when the offending vehicle starts itswithdrawal attempt, the movable part pivots according to the axis of theshaft and constitutes a crutch capable of lifting up the vehicle. Thedevice thus has an appreciable advantage in forcing the offendingvehicle to remain in place on pain of being damaged. The device, by theconstructional measure suited to it and which are detailed hereinafter,supports perfectly this treatment without any damage. The originality ofthe device follows from the fact that the means implemented for raisingand lowering without violation the movable part are not at all affectedin case of violation, the folding movement of the movable part thenbeing taken over completely by other means.

In FIG. 1 can be seen the case 1 which comprises a mechanism permittingof raising the movable part 2. The legs 3 of the movable part areanchored on the shaft, not visible in this Figure, by means of sleeves4. The movable part 2 is shown here in its active position and can beturned back by turning around the case until parallel with the uppersurface of the latter. An orifice 5 made in the sleeve 4 can also beseen. This orifice is in the extension of the shaft.

FIG. 1 shows the device as seen in front if one is in front of theparking place concerned. Account is thus taken of the fact that avehicle violating the access would rest against the movable part 2 untilfolding it back almost completely.

When thus engaged on the parking place the offender will reverse inorder to withdraw, the top of the movable part, which is held in contactwith the underside of the vehicle due to the springs described in FIGS.3 to 5, is in position to act as a lever. The whole force resulting fromthis resistance is transmitted to the shaft according to its axle due tothe mechanisms illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates a lateral strut 6 which presents itself like a kindof shoe anchored in the ground by solid pins 7. The lateral strut whichis shown here in partial section in order to draw attention to itsdetails in position, has a crown shaped cavity the shape of whichconstitutes substantially the impression of the sleeve 4. In fact andthat is the important thing, a protuberance 5' corresponds exactly tothe orifice 5 already described. As this orifice constitutes theextension of the shaft, the shaft has an outer support which shares theloads to which it is subjected thus contributing to transmit theseforces to the ground on a base larger than only the case. It is likewiseprovided for fitting the device with a strut different from thatillustrated in FIG. 2. In this case the strut simply follows the exactouter contour of the sleeve on its lower half like a simplestirrup-piece.

FIG. 3 permits of observing an arrangement permitting of transmittingthe force resulting from a violation according to the axle of the shaftso as to permit the transmission of the said forces to the groundwithout any internal mechanical effort. One recognizes the sleeve 4 inthe interior of which a cavity shields a passage for a strap 10 made offlexible material but very resistant and non extensible such as Kevlarbraid or glass fibre. The strap 10 is in the form of a narrow band themiddle part of which is fixed to the shaft 8 by a screw 9 and the endsof which are confined between two clamping jaws 11 connected by clampingscrews 12. The jaws 11 have a supporting edge on which springs 13 rest.Whether one presses on the movable part towards the front or towards therear, the opposing force developed by the extension of one spring andthe crushing of the other is transmitted axially to the shaft. Since theshaft cannot pivot on itself by reason of the position of maximum lengthof the cam which controls it, the sleeve 4 pivots around the shaft onlymeeting the relative resistance of the two springs. The opposed play ofthe springs permits the movable part to regain its neutral verticalposition without that involving any movement of the shaft therefore ofthe driving mechanism of the device.

In FIG. 4 is seen a second variation of an arrangement permitting atransmission of the external forces according to the axis of the shaft.This time, a single spring 13' is used which presents the possibility ofgiving it a greater length of stroke. The same components as in FIG. 3are recognized. Furthermore, this arrangement comprises a fixing ring 16provided with grooves 14 intended to collaborate with lugs 15 made onthe jaws 11 which fix between them the ends of the strap 10. In fact, atthe time of mounting the device the lugs 15 are caused to slide in thegrooves 14 until the lugs 15 are flush above the upper surface of thering 16. At this moment the ring, respectively the jaws, are caused topivot by a quarter of a turn so that the lugs are located oppositeloopholes 17 and penetrate into these. The spring thus being set, thelugs can no longer come out again from the loopholes under the opposedaction of the strap and of the spring.

FIG. 5, very diagrammatic, permits of establishing that an effectsimilar to that described with regard to FIGS. 3 and 4 may be obtainedeven inside the case by ensuring the connection between the cam of theshaft and the shaft by means of a spring one of the ends of which issolid with the shaft and the other with the cam of the shaft which isconnected to a rod fixed at its other end to the cam of the axle of themotor. In this case at the time of a violation there is a rotation ofthe shaft but without the latter being reflected back to the drivingmechanism, the movement of the shaft being absorbed by the spring.

Tests made with vehicles of different kinds show that, realisedaccording to one of the variations set forth in FIGS. 3 to 5, the deviceis capable of lifting one of the axles of the offending vehicle withoutundergoing the slightest damage, that being due to a transmission of theforces according to the axis of the shaft. The whole of the forcesresulting from an attempt to withdraw the offending vehicle istransmitted to the ground without any torsion effect putting in dangerthe functional structure of the device. The transmission of the saidforces to the ground is furthermore facilitated by the action of thelateral struts. The variation illustrated in FIG. 4 may be considered aspreferential.

FIG. 6 shows an energizing block which presents itself in the case inquestion as a cube in which cells usual in the trade 18 are placed. Itmust be clear that the shape shown of the energizing block is purely byway of indication. The material used for the realization of the cubiccasing receiving the cells will be selected with non-conductingproperties but especially with resistance to compression. In fact, asthe energizing block is placed at the centre of the case it participatesvery actively in the resistance to crushing of the latter. Thedimensions of the casing are selected so that the cells have a smallmargin of freedom, precisely so that a slight deformation of the casingdoes not destroy the cells.

In FIG. 6, the face of the cube shown is the lower face at the time ofputting the energizing block in place in the case. The case, which isbetter seen in FIG. 7 comprises at its centre a housing 30 intended toreceive the energizing block. This housing constitutes in some way themould of the energizing block. The face illustrated in the drawing ofFIG. 6 will therefore be turned towards the ground. Supposing that anexterior feeding is possible it is obvious that one could replace theenergizing block by a feed converting the current. Care will then betaken to see that the feed container exercises the same function ofcentral support as that of the energizing block described. Onerecognises four cells 18 placed in contact in series by means of contactstrips 19 arranged on the inner face of the cubic casing. It isadvisable to insist quite particularly on the fact that the contactstraps are situated, as the drawing indicates, on the inner face of thecubic casing. The consequence of that is that once the energizing blockis put in place in the case, the contact strips are not only separatedfrom the lower surface of the case but are separated therefrom by aspace at least equal to the thickness of the casing. This recessedplacing of the contact strips has the object of eliminating the risk ofshort-circuit which would arise from the presence of deposits or liquidat the bottom of the case resulting, for example, from condensation.Thus, the elements contributing to the contact of the cells between themor with the terminals provided by the case are neither in contact withthe lower inner face of the case nor even situated in immediateproximity to this surface.

Finally attention is called to a recess 20 shaped so as to collaboratewith a corresponding male part 29 present on the inner lower face of thecase as seen in FIG. 7. The coupling, male 29, female 20, has the objectof rendering possible only one single manner of placing the energizingblock in place, precisely that which permits of matching with thecontact strips which the upper part of the case comprises.

The upper face of the energizing block is quite similar to the lowerface seen in FIG. 6 except that there are neither contact strips 19 norrecess 20.

The advantages of the device according to the invention are to give aparking prohibition device which not only draws attention to but opposesany attempted violating not at the time of the entering of the vehiclebut at the time of its withdrawal. Of course these advantages areobtained without damage to the device, even with an angle of attackperpendicular to the device, i.e. side-face, which is not usual. Ascorollary, the vehicles trapped, not being able to withdraw normally,the device is called upon to have to resist the weight of the vehicletransmitted by one of its wheels on the upper surface of the case. Hereagain the device according to the invention shows robustness inpresenting increased resistance at the centre of the case even thoughthis place conceals the cells or batteries which cannot participate inany way in the force on pain of being seriously damaged, indeeddestroyed.

I claim:
 1. A parking prohibition device, comprising a case enclosing ashaft carrying a movable part having at least one leg, which therotation of the shaft causes to pass from a substantially horizontalposition to a substantially vertical position and vice-versa, andfurther comprising means allowing the forced lowering of the movablepart in case of violation while the shaft remains immobilized in theposition which it occupies when the movable part is in a verticalposition and said means further ensuring the return of the movable partto the vertical position, these means being formed so that the movablepart acts like a crutch forming obstruction to the withdrawal of aviolating vehicle that, in an extreme case, lifts an offending vehicleat the time of its withdrawal without rotating the shaft and withoutdamage to the device.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the casecomprises two orifices in which rests the shaft which extends to theoutside of the case at both sides of the latter the outer ends of theshaft receiving sleeves on which the movable part is fixed through atleast one leg.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the sleeves aresupported by lateral struts.
 4. A device according to claim 2, andfurther comprising means arranged so that the rotation of the shaftentails the rotation of the sleeves at the time of normal control of thedevice and permit, in case of violation, the sleeves to pivot around theshaft without driving the latter.
 5. A device according to claim 4,wherein there are two legs, and the legs have a hollow cylindrical formand are solid with the sleeves.
 6. A device according to claim 5,wherein the sleeves are partially truncated in a plane parallel to theshaft and have an opening which leads to the inside of each leg.
 7. Adevice according to claim 6, wherein at least one spring is accommodatedin the inside of at least one leg and in that the first spire of thespring rests on the surface which borders the opening of the sleeves. 8.A device according to claim 7, and further comprising two strands of aflexible but non-extensible strap fixed at its middle to the shaft andenveloping the latter extending into the interior of the legs, the endsof the two strands comprising means for the putting in collaboration ofthe strap with the spring or springs.
 9. A device according to claim 8,wherein the spring or springs put the strap in tension such that in theabsence of exterior constraint, the rotation of the shaft is reflectedback to the movable part by its legs.
 10. A parking prohibition deviceaccording to claim 9 wherein said case encloses a receiving member forcontrol signals that actuate a motor coupled to the shaft carrying themovable part, which the action of the motor causes to pass from asubstantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical positionand vice-versa, and further comprising means allowing said forcedlowering of the movable part without the action of the motor in case ofviolation and ensuring its return to the vertical position, wherein themotor is coupled to the shaft through means permitting immobilization ofthe shaft in the position which it occupies when the movable part is inthe vertical position, and the motor has an axle, and the axle iscoupled to a cam at the end of which is fitted a rod whose opposite endis fastened to a second cam solid with the shaft so that the cam solidwith the axle of the motor is in the extreme position when the movablepart is in vertical position and is held in this position by a returnmeans.
 11. A device according to claim 10, and further comprising anenergizing block constituting at the same time a magazine for cells anda supporting structure for the central part of the case without thecells or their contacts receiving any share of compression in the casewhere a vehicle runs over the device.
 12. A device according to claim 11wherein the energizing block is constituted by a casing resistant tocompression, in the inside of which not only the cells but likewisetheir contacts are placed.
 13. A device according to claim 12, whereinthe energizing block is formed so that the cells are in verticalposition when the block is placed in the case and in that the membersputting in contact the lower poles of the cells between one anther aredistant from the inner lower surface of the case by at least thethickness of the energizing casing.
 14. A device according to claim 13,wherein the sleeves are cylindrical in shape and are truncated in aplane parallel to the axis of the cylindrical sleeves so as to give aplanar surface on which the first spire of a spring comes to rest asdoes at least one leg of the movable part the section of which iscircular hollow; the sleeve further comprising a central hollow in whichthe shaft is fitted and an opening, leading into the plane surface,through which the two strands of said strap fixed at its middle to theshaft by means of a screw can extend in the inner space described by thespring, the ends of the two strands being fixed to one another by thecombined play of two jaws and a clamping screw, the jaws comprising lugsintended to cooperate with corresponding grooves made in the centralchannel of a ring likewise provided with loopholes intended to receivethe lugs and to prevent the ring from being able to break away from thejoined ends of the strip under the action of the spring, which, put intension to permit the penetration of the joined ends in the ring, tendto hold the lugs captive of the loopholes such that any force appliedfrom outside onto the movable part is transmitted through at least oneleg to the sleeve, then to the spring, then to the strap and finally tothe shaft about its axis only, with the exclusion of forces appliedalong the axis of the shaft and in a plane passing through the top ofthe movable part and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft so thatwhatever the orientation of the force applied on the movable part, thisforce is transmitted to the ground without there being any mechanicaleffort or moment on the shaft and its motor parts.
 15. A deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein the sleeves are supported by lateralstruts.